The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1887-05-05
BELFAST, MAINE THURSDAY, MAY 5, 1887.

the Via canal, near the City. of Mexico = and
| each barge, with three barc-leggcd boatman to
propel it, will easily carry dozen people.
| In the lake are many islands. upon one or
! two of which extensive ruins have been found.
Some of the islands are absolutely uneXpora-
| blc on account of the innumerable number
| and variety of serpents that infest them, and
appear to be entirely given over to those rep
| tiles. No wonder those early Indians consider
| ed a skirt of woven snakes the most appr0pri-
| ate garment for the goddess of the earth! Cen
turtles before the coming. of the Aztecs, the
| poctical people who Inhabited these western
shores, contemplating the azure Pacific, named
| the goddess of water ChdlchiahHicue, ''Shc of
tribes of this section called the earth Co0tlicMe,
the goddess of the skirt Of scrpents.' Repre-
scntaiions OF this goddess are not tempting as
to beauty. The upper part is the head of
snake, whose body is cntwincd with that of the
woman. the sex being represented by breasts
upon the body of the reptile This woman
serpent gives lis that other name for the god
dc>s Earth, Cihuacoatl, the Aztec Evc-though
popuarly known as Coatlicuc. The skirt is a
| web of snakes, adorned with taSses and fcatl-
erS; and at her sides hang pouches for holding
copal gum, Signifying sacrifice and alteration.
In attempting to explore some of the islands
of lake Chapala it seemed rs if the earth liter
ally Wore "a skirt of scrpcnts." The ground
seemed alive with them. swaying and writhng
from every bush, kissing and squirminS on
every fallen tree and rlppIng the water in all
directions. 1t was Il question as to which was
most numerous. the birds above or snakes be-
low. Among the islands are numerous shoals
which barely project their pchhly heads above
the water. These shoals are inhabited by mil
lions of terms, gls and other water fowl, and
when approached the birds rise up in swarms,
darkcnng the air, uttcrng deafcnng cries and
darting about the intruder in Il threatening
manner. Then the little short-taied fellows
fly high up in the air where they look like min
IutU UrG bows riding hrOOn-StitkS.
But the scene on the shoals, after the birds
have deserted them. is most astonishing. Gulls
and terms make no nests. and do not even take
pains to hollow out a place in the gravel; but
10 every pebble there seems to he Il dozen eggs.
Surprising as it may seem. among these BUSH
els of eggs. laid miscellancou>ly and all eN-
actiy alike, each bird seems to know its own,
and returning wili invariably settle down with
out hesitation upon the right spot The young
ar" constantly kicking out of the shells. and al
most Immediately after their exit make for the
water to drink and wade without any assist
ance from their parents. the gawky little things
being able to fly almost before their feathers
have Sproutcd.
of a hen. and in order to identify species one
must wait until the parents rcturn-;t not easy
thin. to do when one Of 4 chattering party.
They tell Us that as soon as the spring birds
appear there Is 4 great gathering of snakes be-
low and hawks above. The hawks fairly cover
the trees. ard when hunger dictates they make
Il dash at the tired little creatures who have set
tied upon the Islands after their annual return
from some unknown region. If Il bird escapes
the hawks and seeks to refresh himself with Il
drink. in the twinkling of an eye he is swallow
ed by one of the greedy snakes that lie in wait
At the waters edge.
Among the hawks is one Kind which, though
small lis exceedingly powerful. 1t is known as
the 'luck-haWk, because it lives entirely upon
disabled ducks, seldom condesccn,ling to game
anywhere near its own size. Some of the ducks
relish small snakes. and frequently a duck gets
hold Of Il snake which makes Il lively struggle.
This is the hawks opportunity, and pouncin.
'lown, he gets both snake and hawk at one fell
sweep. FANNIE B. WARD.